White Sox (Castillo) vs Cubs (Imanaga): 08/17/26, 7:05 PM

[CubUgly]

2 hours ago, Stratos said:

Well when you also lollygag after dropping a ball with 2 guys on base you also deserve all the heat.

Man, I was ecstatic when we signed him.  But I'm so glad he's gone.  I don't think he wanted to be here and purely my own perception, I don't think the Cubs from management, front office down to the players wanted him to be here either, so it worked out - and with the Dodgers grossly overpaying him it worked out even better. 

[ILMindState]

2 hours ago, PeanutPunch33 said:

What's lost in all the excitement is how ass Zeferjahn has been.  I still like him a lot as a reliever and think he will be fine... but it's hard to think he's still in the "circle of trust" at the moment.  I'm not sure what's plaguing him but he has to figure it out and quick.  

Was it lost? Was 2 pages talking about how bad he’s been not enough?

[ILMindState]

39 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

It looked like he hit the exact spot he was asked to on the HR yesterday and Benintendi was just sitting on it. Also the walk to Murakami was mostly by design. The Cubs did not like throwing him strikes yesterday.

 

 

For context 

 

 

[Stratos]

1 hour ago, 17 Seconds said:

he's on pace for close to 40-40. it wouldn't surprise me to see him do it, he is magical right now

Would love to see him get to 10 fWAR

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Peterson was never part of a plan to pitch that game. He did so because Zeferjahn struggled. So that is why he finished the 8th and pitched the 9th. 
As for Shota, what signs were there that he was gassed? After the homer with no outs in the 4th he retired the side in order, with 2 k’s. Then in the 5th he walked one guy but retired the other 3, with another k. He was at around 84 pitches after 5. He was not hit hard in either the 4th (after the homer) or the 5th. What did you see that suggested he was gassed and Craig should have taken him out?

I admit, I was surprised no one was warming up, but I wasn’t surprised he started the 6th. I did not see signs of him losing it. 

I only watched the condensed game. He was walking guys in the 4th/5th/6th so I assumed he was gassed. Maybe I'm wrong about that.  I'll defer to you guys who saw the whole game.

[Stratos]

52 minutes ago, CubUgly said:

Man, I was ecstatic when we signed him.  But I'm so glad he's gone.  I don't think he wanted to be here and purely my own perception, I don't think the Cubs from management, front office down to the players wanted him to be here either, so it worked out - and with the Dodgers grossly overpaying him it worked out even better. 

I think it might just be his personality.  He's very laid back, maybe too laid back at times.  He's not going to come off as intense/enthusiastic like PCA or Nico.

I never had a problem with him last year.  He played well until he got hurt.  But loafing on the missed ball with runners on the other day is just inexcusable.  It sounds like he's frustrated and the booing may be getting to him.

[We Got The Whole 9]

42 minutes ago, ILMindState said:

For context 

 

 

Yeah I don't know how you can see that location and blame the pitcher. That is a perfectly executed pitch. 

 

His stuff also looks nasty to me. It wouldnt surprise me if they try to teach him a changeup next season, but the slider has some filthy spin and bite to It. His heat is regularly high-90s. Im really excited about having him for the next 4 seasons frankly. 

Edited 1 hour ago by We Got The Whole 9

[Rob]

1 hour ago, CubUgly said:

Man, I was ecstatic when we signed him.  But I'm so glad he's gone.  I don't think he wanted to be here and purely my own perception, I don't think the Cubs from management, front office down to the players wanted him to be here either, so it worked out - and with the Dodgers grossly overpaying him it worked out even better. 

Honestly, I'm interested in the concept of buying low on him this offseason.

He's still running a 12.2% walk rate versus an 18.4% strikeout rate. The power is way down. Maybe it's his injuries failing to heal. Maybe part of it is ballpark. But he's also posted a .329 xwOBA. So even with his failings, he'd look like an above-average bat if he just had neutral luck (his BABIP is one of the lowest of his career right now).

That's down pretty far from the estimates of him after his mammoth half-season in 2024 and the start of 2025. But I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him bounce back into the 3-4 fWAR range next year. And there's upside for more.

He's burned some bridges this season. If the Dodgers front office is willing to eat a significant chunk of the contract, I'd happily take a flyer on him.

[Jason Ross]

38 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Yeah I don't know how you can see that location and blame the pitcher. That is a perfectly executed pitch. 

 

His stuff also looks nasty to me. It wouldnt surprise me if they try to teach him a changeup next season, but the slider has some filthy spin and bite to It. His heat is regularly high-90s. Im really excited about having him for the next 4 seasons frankly. 

I'm going to give credit where credit is due: Greg has mentioned a few times he needs that kick change. And he's spot on. Get that dude a changeup to attack lefties.